title: Medial epicondylectomy for the treatment of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow.
abstract: Decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow with medial epicondylectomy was done in 43 patients and reviewed with an average follow-up of 2.3 years. Eight were graded as excellent, 23 as good, 9 as fair, and 3 as poor results. A special emphasis was placed on analysis of the potential disadvantages of medial epicondylectomy including bone tenderness at the osteotomy site, vulnerability of the ulnar nerve, ulnar collateral ligament instability, and weakness from disruption of the flexor pronator origin. Clinical assessment of strength including quantitative measurement of pinch strength, grip strength and endurance, and testing of forearm muscles did not show these potential disadvantages to be significant problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tufts Medical School, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Heithoff
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Millender
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nalebuff
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Petruska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010027:Osteotomy; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*